All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship Semi Final
Sun 9th Nov Seneschalstown 3-17 Knockbride 2-4
Seneschalstown created history by becoming the first Meath team to reach the AIB All-Ireland Women’s Club senior final after an impressive showing against their hosts, Knockbride at Canningstown, Co. Cavan.
All-Ireland Ladies Senior Football Championship Semi Final
Sun 9th Nov Seneschalstown 3-17 Knockbride 2-4
Seneschalstown created history by becoming the first Meath team to reach the AIB All-Ireland Women’s Club senior final after an impressive showing against their hosts, Knockbride at Canningstown, Co. Cavan.
The newly crowned Leinster champions were slow to settle but once they found their bearings in the well-appointed little ground among the Cavan hills there was no stopping their progress to an All-Ireland final meeting with Donaghmore from Cork who dethroned holders Cornacon of Mayo in the other semi-final.
Damien Sheridan’s side had too much ammunition for the locals who also recently tasted their initial provincial success and thanks to a two salvo from Mary Sheridan and team captain Louise McKeever looked home and hosed at half time with a 3-7 to 1-2 advantage.
McKeever was making her first competitive appearance since picking up an injury in the All-Ireland Sevens replaced Adele Carolan who failed a late fitness test. Wing-back Eimear O’Carroll suffered a similar fate and Colette Finnegan proved an able deputy.
Carmel McCabe and Claire Murtagh gave the team in green and red a foothold at midfield in the early stages and with Nuala Rogers and Arlene Clarke taking turns to drop back to dig them out Seneschalstown were on the back foot.
Emma Clarke, who caused Philomena Sheridan some anxiety in the opening half, posted the first point of the day but was also responsible for half her side’s tally of six first half wides.
The Yellow Furze team experienced a major let off when a speculative effort from Aisling Traynor rebounded off a post and back into play before Murtagh doubled the Knockbride advantage.
Grainne Nulty and Annette O’Connell soon assumed control at midfield and the Seneschalstown ploy of targeting the Mary Sheridan paid an instant dividend with the award of a close range free which Fiona Mahon converted.
The strong running centre forward who covered acres of ground was another key performer in this memorable Seneschalstown victory and landed 0-11, all from placed balls.
Mary Sheridan’s aerial presence and Sarah Wogan’s sniping runs caused all sorts of problems for the home defence who were reduced to conceding frees which Mahon gratefully converted as she recorded all Seneschalstown points in the opening half.
Knockbride were struggling to stay in touch and were trailing 0-2 to 1-7 despite the advantage of a slight breeze when fate conspired against them as their captain Emma Traynor deflected a fisted effort from Sheridan into her own net.
In the next attack McKeever netted after Sally-Ann Carolan’s initial effort was saved by Deirdre Dolan.
The goal rush continued and Emma Clarke raised the biggest cheer of the half when she netted with a ground shot from a tight angle after Seneschalstown’s goalkeeper Louise Byrne hesitated in advancing to a long delivery.
It proved only to be a temporary respite for the Cavan girls as the Yellow Furze side continue to motor after the break. Mary Sheridan dropped deep at times to give the inside forwards more space.
McKeever was their first forward to score from play and Carolan, Wogan and Orla Sheridan all raised flags in similar fashion as the team in yellow and blue pulled 19 points clear.
Ciaran McCabe’s side never stopped trying and the hardworking Aisling Traynor drove home a consolation goal moments after seeing her penalty kick and the follow-up rebound off the crossbar.
The hosts are to be commended for their organization and hopefully they will have the chance to stage a similar event in the future.
Seneschalstown – Louise Byrne; Elaine Dillon, Philomena Sheridan, Dearbhla O’Carroll; Debbie Mangan, Edel McGrane, Colette Finnegan; Grainne Nulty, Annette O’Connell; Sally-Ann Carolan (0-1), Fiona Mahon (0-11, all frees), Orla Sheridan (0-1); Sarah Wogan (1-2), Mary Sheridan (1-1), Louise McKeever (C)(1-1). Subs – Sarah Heery for McKeever, Laura Carey for Dillon.
Knockbride – Deirdre Dolan; Mairéad Smith, Emma Traynor (C), Louise McCabe; Eimear Dolan, Joanne McNulty, Anne Hand; Carmel McCabe, Claire Murtagh (0-1); Nuala Rogers, Aisling Traynor (1-1), Elaine Coslin; Arlene Clarke, Emma Clarke (1-2). Subs – Lisa McCabe for Donohoe, Aisling Clarke for Louise McCabe.
Referee – Liam McDonagh (Sligo).
